Clam-shell mobile device protector

ABSTRACT

A mobile device case including a first section and a second section connected by a transitional section. The mobile device case is configured to provide a peelable, multi-layered case for a mobile device. The mobile device case may include multiple perforated sections to facilitate access to various features of the mobile device. The mobile device case includes multiple layers which may be peeled to remove it from the mobile device case.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a device cover or protector,and more particularly to a cover/protector for mobile devices such ascell phones and tablets.

BACKGROUND

Mobile device cases or protectors, such as those for phones and tablets,typically utilize the combination of a transparent screen protector witha hard shell or fabric enclosure. These combination protectors/casesprovide protection for the device at the cost of increased bulk andweight. A variety of combination cases currently on the market utilize,at a minimum, a foam shell around the edges of the device/phone. Thisshell increases the size and weight of the phone, potentially negativelyimpacting the ability of a user to store and handle their device asdesigned. Additionally, known cases come with a risk of capturing andretaining pathogens from the environment on surfaces (interior andexterior) of the case and between the case and the device. Theseprevious efforts have resulted in potential contamination vectors forthe user.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally provides for an adhesive, multi-layeredmobile device protector or case. Aspects of the mobile device protectorprovide a user the ability to protect their phone or tablet fromscratches, dings, dents or the like, while providing a way to removecontamination from the device quickly. The system and method allow auser to successively remove a contaminated layer of the mobile devicecase while maintaining continued protection for the device. While thepresent disclosure is discussed in regards to phones as an example, itshould be understood by one skilled in the art that the presentdisclosure will function with other types of devices known in the art,such as tablets, as well as other devices of different form factors thatmay receive a removable cover of adhesive layers that may besuccessively removed to yield an appropriately transparent protectionlayer.

According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a mobile devicecase protecting a device from scratches and other damage withoutsubstantially increasing the size and weight of the device. The mobiledevice protector may include perforated flaps to facilitate easyinstallation. The mobile device case may include multiple layers ofmaterial, such as plastic or polymeric material, in a laminar structureeach layer of which is peelable to separate an outer-most layer fromunderlying layers. Adhesive is disposed between each polymeric layer ina thickness that results in appropriate adhesion between polymericlayers and as between the first layer and the mobile device. The usermay remove a layer of the laminar structure of the mobile deviceprotector when the mobile device case surface becomes contaminated. Themobile device protector's remaining layers continue to protect thedevice following removal of the outer or topmost layer(s). Tabs may bepresent in the laminar structure at each polymeric layer providing agrasping mechanism for removing a layer of the mobile device case fromthe device, without disturbing the underlying layer(s).

According to another aspect, the mobile device protector may featureperforated sections that can be removed to provide access tofunctions/features of the mobile device. The removable perforatedsections may, for example, be present in the area of a power button,volume controls, charging/audio ports, camera(s), and/or the like.Additionally, removable sections may be located in the area of featureson the mobile device, such as the speaker, power/volume controls, andthe fingerprint sensor or other biometric sensor (if applicable).

The mobile device protector according to the disclosure may beconfigured to the particular features, and be customized to best fit thedevice on which it is or is to be installed. That is, variousembodiments according to the disclosure may be configured to conform tothe feature placements for different makes/models. For example, anembodiment of the disclosure may be configured to protect a model ofphone or tablet available from a first manufacturer, while anotherembodiment may be configured to protect another model or a model ormodels from a different device manufacturer. Embodiments may beconfigured for other makes/models without departing from the disclosure.

The above summary has outlined, rather broadly, some features andtechnical advantages of the present disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosuremay be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing otherstructures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure.It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that suchequivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of thedisclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features,which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as toits organization and method of operation, together with further objectsand advantages, will be better understood from the following descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided forthe purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended asa definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent from the detailed description set forth below whentaken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencecharacters identify correspondingly throughout.

FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of a mobile device protector accordingto an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a side sectioned view of the mobile device protector,taken along a line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a second embodiment of the mobile device protectoraccording to further aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below, in connection with theappended drawings, is intended as a description of variousconfigurations and is not intended to represent the only configurationsin which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detaileddescription includes specific details for the purpose of providing athorough understanding of the various concepts. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, however, that these concepts may be practicedwithout these specific details.

FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of a mobile device protector or case100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. A first section102 may be operatively connected to a second section 104 by atransitional section 106, forming a clam-shell-like casing. In oneembodiment, during installation of the protector on a mobile device, thetransitional section 106 may be removed. The first section 102 mayinclude a first tab 108 to facilitate installation of the mobile devicecase 100 on a mobile device (not shown). The first tab 108 may includeperforations for removing the first tab 108 from the mobile deviceprotector/case 100, during or after installation of the protector on thedevice. The mobile device case 100 may be sized to fit a variety ofmakes/models of mobile devices. The mobile device case 100 may becustomized by a user, or as manufactured, to conform with the placementof features on a particular mobile device.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile device case 100 may includemultiple layers, for example 1-10 layers of material (or 2-10 layers,with 4 to 10 being illustrative as a function of the composition of thematerial in order to maintain touch-screen capabilities and tactileresponsiveness of the device). However, it should be appreciated thatalthough the embodiment describes is discussed as having 2-10 layers, itcould be more or fewer layers. Each of the multiple layers 210 of themobile device case 100 may be formed of a flexible plastic or polymericmaterial (referred to herein as a “plastic layer”) including, but notlimited to, Glass Shield Multi-Layer 4/4™ available from Graffiti Shieldof Anaheim, Calif. 92806. The layered material is of a thickness thatallows for use of the mobile device touchscreen whether there is onelayer of material present or multiple layers, for example 10 peelableplastic layers. The material used for the plastic layer(s) may betransparent and/or scratch resistant. The material may also be cleanedusing common cleaning solutions if the user prefers to clean the mobiledevice case 100 instead of or in addition to disposing of a fouledlayer.

An adhesive layer 212 may be disposed between each plastic layer 210,and an adhesive layer 212 may also be used to adhere the mobile devicecase 100 to the mobile device. It should be appreciated that theadhesive layer between each plastic layer and the adhesive layeradhering the protector to the mobile device may be different adhesivesand/or create different coefficients of friction as between the surfacesbeing adhered. The adhesive is selected to not leave a residue whenremoved either as between layers or as between the mobile device and afirst layer of the protector. The adhesive is selected to provide astrong enough adhesion to securely bond the mobile device case 100 tothe mobile device to ensure limited movement therebetween. The adhesivealso bonds the plastic layers of the mobile device case 100 to eachother. The adhesive is selected to have appropriate adhesive force tohold the mobile device case 100 to the mobile device as well as holdingeach plastic layer to the adjoining layer(s), but at the same timecreating an adhesive force that facilitates ease of a user peeling alayer(s) of the mobile device case 100 off when a layer(s) is fouled.

An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure may include sufficientadhesive disposed between each layer to form a 1:10 to 1:5 thicknessratio of adhesive to plastic layer. Each plastic layer, in anillustrative embodiment, may be 2-4 mil thick. In other words, eachplastic layer of the exemplary mobile device case may be 2-4 mil thickand the adhesive layer may be 0.2 to 0.8 mil thick. By way of example,an exemplary embodiment of 10 plastic layers may be 22 to 48 mil thick.As the exemplary embodiment is used, and fouled layers are discarded,the exemplary embodiment will become slimmer throughout use, down toapproximately 2.2 mil when one layer remains. It should be appreciatedthat in order to get appropriate adhesive forces the composition ofadhesive may be adjusted and/or a pattern of application of the adhesivelayer may be modified (e.g., rather than a full layer of adhesive theadhesive layer may be applied in a stripped, dotted or other patternthat will affect adhesive force).

FIG. 3 depicts a second embodiment of the mobile device case 300according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The device case 300may include a first device section 302 for covering a first side of amobile device (not shown), and a second device section 304 for coveringa second side of a mobile device (e.g., the opposite side). The firstdevice section 302 and the second device section 304 may be joined orconnected by a transitional section 306 operating as a connector betweenthe first section 302 and the second section 304. The transitionalsection 306 may be formed of the same material as the first section 302and the second section 304, and as described herein with respect to theembodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

At least one perforated tab may be operatively connected to the firstsection 302. A first tab 308 may be present on the first section 302 ofthe mobile device case 300. The first tab 308 may assist the user withinstalling the device case 300 without fouling the case and/or themobile device. A first flap 310 and a second flap 312 may be present forfolding over a first and second edge of the mobile device.

The mobile device case 300 may include at least one perforated sectioncorresponding to the location of at least one feature on the mobiledevice. The second flap 312 may include a perforated charge port section314. The charge port section 314 may be removed to allow access to themobile device charging and audio ports, if present. A perforated powersection 316 may be present on the first tab 308. The perforated powersection 316 may be removed to provide access to the mobile device'spower switch/button (not shown).

A perforated speaker section 318 may be present on the first section 302of the mobile device case 300. The perforated speaker section 318 may beremoved to reduce muffling of audio produced by the mobile device (notshown). A perforated volume section 320 may be present on thetransitional section 306 of the mobile device case 300. The perforatedvolume section 320 may be removed to provide access to volume controlspresent on the mobile device.

A perforated camera section 322 may be present on the second section 304of the mobile device case 300. The perforated camera section may beremoved to prevent obscuring the mobile device camera (not shown). Aperforated cut-out section 324 may be present on the second devicesection 304 of the mobile device protector case, in order to facilitateplacement and adhesion of a device holder (e.g., a pull-out phone holderthat sticks to the back of a mobile phone).

The perforated sections described above may be formed as recesses orapertures during formation of the mobile device protector/case 300 in analternative embodiment without departing from the disclosure.Additionally, the names given to identify the perforated sections arenot intended to limit the section to an accompanying feature of a mobiledevice. By way of example, the perforated volume section 320 may belocated by a power button of the mobile device on one make/model of amobile device, and a volume control on a different make/model of amobile device without deviating from the scope of the disclosure.

At least one peel or removal tab 326 is provided to facilitate removalof at least one plastic layer from the mobile device protector/case 300by the user. Each plastic layer (e.g., 210 in FIG. 2) may have a removaltab 326 that is configured to be grasped by the user, and pulled by theuser to peel away the plastic layer (and any layers above it). In thisembodiment, the removal tabs are extensions from a respective plasticlayer, but in alternative embodiments they may be implemented asgrippable recesses on a respective layer that can be grasped by the userfor removal of one or more layers. The user may remove a top oroutermost layer of the mobile device case 300 when the outermost layeris fouled by contamination, scratches, and/or dents/cracks. The user maytake hold of the peel tab 326 corresponding to the layer they wish toremove. The user may then apply a force to the peel tab 326 to peel thecorresponding layer, and any layers above it (i.e. on a side of thecorresponding layer opposing the mobile device), from the mobile deviceprotector/case 300. The mobile device case 300 remains adhered to themobile device with the remaining layer(s). The removed layer(s) may bedisposed of, leaving an uncontaminated mobile device case 300 on themobile device.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of themobile device case may be used for multiple makes and models of mobiledevice, such as those described above. Further embodiments may beconfigured for other makes/models without departing from the disclosure.

To install the clam-shell protector according to the disclosure, it isremoved from its packaging, and a non-stick covering is removed from thefirst exposed adhesive layer. A mobile device is positioned, face-up orface-down, onto the appropriate device section (front or back section).Any cut-outs may be removed from the protector. Then the protector maybe wrapped around an appropriate exposed edge of the device, with thecut-out(s) aligned with any features of the device, and affixed to theappropriate opposite device section (front or back). Light pressure maybe applied to the protector to assist with adhesion between thecase/protector and the device. Any remaining cut-outs may be furtherremoved.

An exemplary embodiment of a mobile device case/protector may be used inhigh-contact environments, such as in a medical setting, to improvesanitary conditions. The mobile device case protects a device fromdamage such as scratches, dings and/or dents during use. Following aconsultation with or use by a patient, as an alternative or in additionto using disinfectant wipes to attempt to sanitize the mobile devicecase, the topmost layer(s) may be removed and disposed of. Anycontamination present on the device is removed with the mobile devicecase layer(s). Beneficially, the layered mobile device protector reducesthe need to consume, or expose sensitive persons to, disinfectantsupplies to ensure sanitation, and provides multiple modes of protectionto the device. Furthermore, because the topmost layer(s) of the mobiledevice case is disposed of, there is minimal risk of contaminationremaining trapped between the case/protector and the mobile device,and/or contamination being transported with the device.

It should be appreciated that the plastic and/or adhesive layers or thedevice protector according to the disclosure may be configured of acomposition that includes an antimicrobial agent. For example, one orboth plastic and/or adhesive layers may include an anti-microbial agenton the exterior of the layer or within the layer material to preventtransfer of microbes to a user or spreading via their personal/mobiledevice(s). For example, an embodiment of the device protector mayinclude an anti-microbial agent, such as non-corrosive antiseptic and ordisinfectant agents (e.g., organic acids such as lactic acid, citricacid, antibacterial metal alloys such as copper, herbal antimicrobialssuch as terpenoids, or the like), on an exterior surface of the plasticlayer and/or on or in the adhesive on an adhesive layer, to reduce thetransfer of illness-causing microbes to a user and/or communication ofthe microbes via the user's personal/mobile device(s).

The laminar structure of the device protector may be made ofbiodegradable materials. The device protector, including the plasticlayer(s) and adhesive(s) may include a bio-degradable additive, such asthermo-oxidative treatments, aerobic or anaerobic mechanisms,oxo-biodegradable additives, or the like, for improving the ability ofthe device protector layers to degrade in the environment, decreasing oreliminating any negative environmental impact of the device protector.Bio-degradable nature of the device protector allows a user to disposeof the each layer, or the entire laminar protector in an environmentallyfriendly way following use and peeling of one or more layers.

It should be appreciated that the device protector according to thedisclosure may be configured completely as a transparent cover so allaspects of the underlying mobile device can be seen through theprotector. Alternatively, a protector according to the disclosure mayhave only transparent portions protecting particular aspects of thedevice, e.g., the display screen(s), while other components of theprotector/case are colored, or translucent (e.g., to protect against sundamage or fading) or decorative with artwork, designs, logos or thelike.

Although embodiments have been described in detail for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thedisclosure is not to be limited by the examples presented herein, but isenvisioned as encompassing the scope described in the appended claimsand the full range of equivalents of the appended claims. The detaileddescription and drawings are merely illustrative of the presentdisclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the present disclosurebeing defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and elements that may causeany benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronouncedare not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the disclosure.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element (or variations thereof), itcan be directly connected or coupled to the other element or interveningelements may be present.

Further, it should be appreciated that in the appended claims, referenceto an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one”unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”

The description of the disclosure is provided to enable any personskilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modificationsto the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to othervariations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples anddesigns described herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

The words “illustrative” or “exemplary” are used herein to mean “servingas an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described hereinas “illustrative” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects.

As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of a list of” itemsrefers to any combination of those items, including single members. Asan example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c,a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forachieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isspecified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may bemodified without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device protector comprising: a firstdevice section and a second device section; a transitional sectionconnecting the first device section and the second device section; thefirst device section, the second device section, and the transitionalsection configured to adhere to a mobile device on at least two sides ofthe mobile device; the first section, the second section, and thetransitional section comprising at least one plastic layer and anadhesive; a peel tab operatively connected to the at least one plasticlayer; and the peel tab configured to peel the at least one plasticlayer off of an underlying structure in response to a force from a user.2. The mobile device protector of claim 1 comprising 1 to 10 layers ofthe at least one plastic layer, wherein each layer of the at least oneplastic layer is operatively connected to a respective peel tab.
 3. Themobile device protector of claim 1, wherein the underlying structure isat least one of a plastic layer and the mobile device case.
 4. Themobile device protector of claim 1 further comprising an installationtab.
 5. The mobile device protector of claim 4 in which the installationtab is perforated.
 6. The mobile device protector of claim 1 in whichthe transitional section is removable.
 7. The mobile device protector ofclaim 2, in which the at least one plastic layer is transparent andscratch resistant.
 8. The mobile device protector of claim 2, furthercomprising an adhesive layer disposed between each plastic layer.
 9. Themobile device protector of claim 2, in which an adhesive layer adheresthe mobile device protector to the mobile device.
 10. The mobile deviceprotector of claim 8, in which the adhesive layer between each plasticlayer and the adhesive layer adhering the mobile device protector to themobile device have different coefficients of friction.
 11. The mobiledevice protector of claim 8, in which the adhesive disposed between eachplastic layer has a ratio of 1:10 to 1:5 adhesive to plastic layer. 12.The mobile device protector of claim 8, in which the adhesive layer isapplied in a pattern of stripes or dots.
 13. The mobile device protectorof claim 1, further comprising a first flap for folding over a firstedge of the mobile device.
 14. The mobile device protector of claim 13,further comprising a second flap for folding over a second edge of themobile device.
 15. The mobile device protector of claim 1, in which thesecond flap includes at least one of a perforated charge port section, aperforated speaker section, and a perforated camera section.
 16. Themobile device protector of claim 2, in which the at least one plasticlayer is of biodegradable material and has an anti-microbial agent on anexterior layer of the at least one plastic layer.
 17. A method ofinstalling a mobile device protector, comprising: positioning a mobiledevice on a first device section; removing cut-outs from the mobiledevice protector; and wrapping the mobile device protector around anexposed edge of the mobile device, with the cut-outs aligned withfeatures of the mobile device; and configuring a second device sectioninto contact with the mobile device, the first device section, thesecond device section, and the transitional section configured to adhereto the mobile device on at least two sides of the mobile device.
 18. Adevice protector apparatus, comprising: a first device section and asecond device section; a transitional section connecting the firstdevice section and the second device section; and the first devicesection, the second device section, and the transitional sectionconfigured to adhere to the device on at least two sides of the device.19. The device protector apparatus of claim 18 wherein the firstsection, the second section, and the transitional section are configuredto comprise at least one plastic layer and at least one adhesive layer.20. The device protector apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a peeltab operatively connected to the at least one plastic layer, the peeltab configured to peel the at least one plastic layer off of anunderlying structure in response to a force from a user.